Joint military operation in Giam Siak Kecil (GSK) Biosphere Reserve, Bukit Batu, Bengkalis Riau, in late last month revealed the involvement of two former police chiefs, a high-ranking TNI-AU (air force), as well as a number of police and military service members and government officials on the encroachement of the internationally recognized protected area. The area is always burnt annually then converted to plantations, media reported.

Pekanbaru (EoF News)--- The Indonesian National Police said that the probe of illegal logging cases in Riau would be finalized before September this year where all cases would be brought to the court.

PEKANBARU (EoF News)— The Government has warned five companies granting selective logging concession (HPH) as they were judged unproductive on such forests they should work on. Director General of Forestry Production Management, Hadi Susanto Pasaribu, said Wednesday that the Ministry of Forestry would give an opportunity for the warned companies to improve their management within six months from now on. “Unless, their licenses will be revoked,” he said as quoted by Bisnis Indonesia daily as saying.

Pekanbaru (EoF News) -- Pelalawan District administration is accused of supporting rampant encroachment practice in proposed Tesso Nilo National Park as it issued KTP identified cards for encroachers originating from other provinces. The migrants then dwelled in newly-inhabited illegal Toro village. Coordinator of Jikalahari (Riau NGOs network for forest rescue) Zulfahmi said the government should prevent migrants entering defunct HPH selective logging concession granted to PT Nanjak Makmur due to they encroach the proposed Tesso Nilo National Park extension land. “Because they just conduct illegal encroachment,” he said as quoted by Riau Terkini website Tuesday.